<quoted text>You will no doubt get your wish. The ones who leave will be the "real teachers" you say you want. Good luck finding replacements willing to accept the working conditions and public abuse in Hawaii.

Let me get this straight. Real teachers will leave because they want more money to teach. Phony teachers will stay because money is not their central mission to teaching.

Why don't you people complain about your union and BOE/DOE for more money. They are the ones that get it and trickle it down to the teachers. I haven't heard one person who's said how much better Hawaii's education will be if more money is poured in. And I haven't heard one person explain what goals the BOE/DOE wants to achieve and at what cost. All any of these groups wants to talk about is being paid their salary.

This state is in dire crisis right now with the education system.I know there are some amazing teachers in these islands, but so many lost credibility and support these past few years, when they agreed to a drug test to get their raises, then reneged on the deal.Not setting a good example to the kids.Perhaps, instead of fighting the furloughs, the classes could start a little earlier and end a little later. The kids go to school almost 2 hours less a day than mainland schools. You add some extra time daily and you have more than made up for the difference.Kids getting out at 1:30 and free to roam is unsafe, better they are at the school getting an education.We are being left in the dust as to education when you look as see how many hours a day and how many days a week some of the children in Asian countries go. Many even go to cram schools to get a jump on education.There has to be a happy solution here. We need some suggestions and solutions, now. These children are the future and they deserve the best and they aren't getting it.

<quoted text>Let me get this straight. Real teachers will leave because they want more money to teach. Phony teachers will stay because money is not their central mission to teaching.

Nice try (that's sarcasm, in case you don't get it). Real teachers have skills that the rest of the world value, and will eventually get tired of being treated like doormats in Hawaii. Those who have no other options will stay. Clear enough?

<quoted text>No, "Real Teachers" would not have made their students pay the price. Teachers who care would have taken a small 8% pay cut with NO VACATION to go along with it! The teachers greedily made the wrong decision for their students. If you can't see this....you are not one of the good teachers so enjoy life on the mainland.

And these teachers should take a "small" 8% pay cut because the public isn't willing to pay the cost of a public educational system?

I think I can live with your opinion that I'm not one of the "good" teachers, since that seems to imply sacrificing on the behalf of people who couldn't care less about education.

<quoted text>No, "Real Teachers" would not have made their students pay the price. Teachers who care would have taken a small 8% pay cut with NO VACATION to go along with it! The teachers greedily made the wrong decision for their students. If you can't see this....you are not one of the good teachers so enjoy life on the mainland.

So, out of all the State workers, only teachers should have to take a pay cut?Please explain the logic there.

yes mr. watase all us teachers are so greedy. i can take my $50.000 salary after 20 years of teaching and two masters degrees to the mainland. along the way of my college education i learned an important lesson: don't take a paycut if it doesn't benefit you. so, you criticize from your beautiful home in niu valley throwing stones at others. nice. two months ago, EVERYONE in the State wanted the teachers to take a hit to help with the budget shortfall. a plan was made with the guidance from your governor that furloughs was the way to go. and now with the plan signed off on by all parties, all of a sudden teachers are GREEDY. huh? watase you're as messed up as the State. one more thing for all you critics. when you criticize teachers in a blog, the impact of your statement would have more merit if proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling were used.

<quoted text>Nice try (that's sarcasm, in case you don't get it). Real teachers have skills that the rest of the world value, and will eventually get tired of being treated like doormats in Hawaii. Those who have no other options will stay. Clear enough?

So tell me, how do you determine which teachers have "real" skill and which ones don't? And why would the state want to keep the ones that don't?

What I'd really like to know is what percentage are currently your definition of "real" teachers. That number should be interesting.

<quoted text>And these teachers should take a "small" 8% pay cut because the public isn't willing to pay the cost of a public educational system?I think I can live with your opinion that I'm not one of the "good" teachers, since that seems to imply sacrificing on the behalf of people who couldn't care less about education.

Sorry. The "public" isn't willing to pay? Why don't you start by showing the "public" how the DOE and HSTA spend $2.4B a year? Then you can tell the rest of us how "unwilling" we are as opposed to education administration personnel who are SUPPOSED to be able to tell us via regular, valid audits.

Why don't you start beating up on the people who deserve to be beaten up? The DOE and the unions. Don't paint yourself as a martyr. Because you aren't. At least not until I see an audit.

<quoted text>Frankly, most could get no pothert job so cut their salary 60% and most would gladly stay. No one else wants them.

This sounds like a good plan to implement at the businesses in Hawaii. Let's see, how about starting with the construction companies? Let's cut the salaries of the carpenters, electricians, flooring specialists by 60%, and see how happy they are to show up for work. Houses and apartments could end up costing as much as 60% less--perhaps instead of $300,000 for a simple apartment, it would only be $120,000.

Then let's do the same for everyone in the hotels, restaurants, and stores. I bet the CEO's of the Hyatt and Sheraton Hotels, Alan Wong's, Chef Mavro, and Zippy's, and Macy's, Wal-Mart, and Target would be thrilled to work full-time for 40% of their pay.

Next, let's move to the public utilities, Hawaiian Telcom, HECO, and Oceanic and do the same.

If all of these entities had those kinds of salary cuts, we the consumers would find our living expenses reduced dramatically. Imagine, dinner at Alan Wong's no longer $100, but only $60; a room at the Hyatt not $300 but only $120; electric bills not $60 but only $24, bread not $3 or $4 on sale, but only $1.20 or $1.60.

<quoted text>Sorry. The "public" isn't willing to pay? Why don't you start by showing the "public" how the DOE and HSTA spend $2.4B a year? Then you can tell the rest of us how "unwilling" we are as opposed to education administration personnel who are SUPPOSED to be able to tell us via regular, valid audits.Why don't you start beating up on the people who deserve to be beaten up? The DOE and the unions. Don't paint yourself as a martyr. Because you aren't. At least not until I see an audit.

You're right. I'm not a martyr. I'm someone who thinks that Hawaii deserves what it pays for, and third rate support deserves a third rate education. You're lucky you're getting better than that. I should provide you an audit? Who the hell are you?

<quoted text>So tell me, how do you determine which teachers have "real" skill and which ones don't? And why would the state want to keep the ones that don't?What I'd really like to know is what percentage are currently your definition of "real" teachers. That number should be interesting.

You want my percentage of who are "real" teachers? 100%. Anyone who puts up with the abuse leveled at teachers in this state are far more dedicated than you deserve. Satisfied?

<quoted text>You're right. I'm not a martyr. I'm someone who thinks that Hawaii deserves what it pays for, and third rate support deserves a third rate education. You're lucky you're getting better than that. I should provide you an audit? Who the hell are you?

Good. You should tell your union that. And you should seek better opportunities else where since money is your primary motivator. So please don't exaggerate and tell me you have the kids welfare in mind. Just find someplace where they pay you what you think you're worth.

As for the audit, just try producing a valid one to begin with. Something that a true audit would show. You do know what an audit is, right?

yes mr. watase all us teachers are so greedy. i can take my $50.000 salary after 20 years of teaching and two masters degrees to the mainland. along the way of my college education i learned an important lesson: don't take a paycut if it doesn't benefit you. so, you criticize from your beautiful home in niu valley throwing stones at others. nice. two months ago, EVERYONE in the State wanted the teachers to take a hit to help with the budget shortfall. a plan was made with the guidance from your governor that furloughs was the way to go. and now with the plan signed off on by all parties, all of a sudden teachers are GREEDY. huh? watase you're as messed up as the State. one more thing for all you critics. when you criticize teachers in a blog, the impact of your statement would have more merit if proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling were used.

This is so full of mistakes it isn't funny!! Don't talk to us about proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling!!!! I was going to correct your blog and send it back, but you aren't worth my time. Plus you need to go back to school and learn when it is proper to use caps. Are you really a teacher? How sad! So all you care about it what benefits YOU? A good teacher cares about benefiting their students. You are one greedy mess.

yes mr. watase all us teachers are so greedy. i can take my $50.000 salary after 20 years of teaching and two masters degrees to the mainland. along the way of my college education i learned an important lesson: don't take a paycut if it doesn't benefit you. so, you criticize from your beautiful home in niu valley throwing stones at others. nice. two months ago, EVERYONE in the State wanted the teachers to take a hit to help with the budget shortfall. a plan was made with the guidance from your governor that furloughs was the way to go. and now with the plan signed off on by all parties, all of a sudden teachers are GREEDY. huh? watase you're as messed up as the State. one more thing for all you critics. when you criticize teachers in a blog, the impact of your statement would have more merit if proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling were used.

justanopinion:This would have more merit if proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling were used.

I know something is wrong with the school system. I know the children can have the ability to succeed. From reading the history of Hawaii, when the Missionaries came here and were teaching the children, they were more literate and higher scoring than children on the mainland.Perhaps we are focusing too much on sports and not enough on the three R's. They need to get back to the basics. They need access to music arts, gym, history, and geography. They need more time in the classroom, and constant support from their families. So many children now a days have no respect for the teachers and not for themselves.We have to be doing something wrong.

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